-28 December 2010

The Automotive Division of Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC has launch the all new Volvo S60 from its showroom in Azaiba. The event was presided over by Mr. Tomas Ernberg, Regional Managing Director, Volvo Cars Middle East and Mr. David Aziz, Director Automotive, MHD LLC.

The all-new Volvo S60 makes its entry into one of the automotive world’s toughest segments backed by an extrovert attitude never before seen in Volvo showrooms.The all-new S60 has been sculpted to move you – both physically and emotionally.

“The sporty design delivers a visual promise of enthusiastic driving characteristics and I can assure you that the all-new S60 truly lives up to that promise. Its driving properties are better than those of any previous Volvo. What is more, the car’s innovative new technologies help you become both a better and a safer driver,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.

The Volvo S60 has been launched across the GCC with an online campaign on major websites including Yahoo, Facebook, MSN Messenger, Hotmail, Maktoob ( Arabic version of Yahoo), Assayyarat , Drive Arabia etc. The objective was to build awareness around the new Volvo S60 and drive users to the microsite- www.letsplays60.com to play the tailor-made game and book test drives on the new S60.

The top three scorers in each country have won exciting prizes with the prizes in Oman including a two night stay for a couple at the six star Al Husn hotel in a Deluxe Seaview room as the first prize, an apple IPAD as the 2nd prize and a Flower bath followed by Aroma Vitality & Body Scrub for two at Chi, the Spa as the 3rd prize. The prizes were given away to the winners during the launch event.

Speaking during the programme Mr. David Aziz, Director Automotive, MHD LLC said: “2010 has been a challenging year for the automotive industry and we expect the new introduction to generate more excitement & interest in the customer’s mind. The Volvo S60 is the most dynamic car model Volvo has ever presented and it promises great driving pleasure before you even get behind the wheel”.

-21 October 2010

The Automotive Division of Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC has handed over the first BYD F3 AT taxi to the proud owner Mr. Hassan Mubarak Husain al Balushi. The taxi was handed over to Mr. Balushi in the presence of Mr. David Aziz, Director Automotive, MHD LLC. Congratulating the owner, Mr. David Aziz said: “BYD Auto is fast emerging as the biggest automotive manufacturer in China. Recently BYD Auto has broken automotive industry records for the fastest 1 million in automotive sales.”

Mr. Hassan Mubarak Hussain Al Balushi a veteran in the taxi business purchased the BYD F3 AT after a careful consideration of all the brands in the market. He finally narrowed down on the BYD brand considering the competitive pricing along with the high specifications of the car. Mr. Balushi also expressed his view that the BYD F3 was a well designed car on par with other international automotive brands. Talking about the BYD tagline “Build Your Dreams” he hoped that his new taxi would enable him to achieve his dreams.

Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC is the sole authorized importer for BYD cars in the Sultanate of Oman. The BYD F3 & F6 are available from the MHD LLC showrooms at Azaiba, Sur, Sohar and Salalah. Along with a starting price of RO 3495 the other advantages include a 5 Years/ 120,000 KM warranty; 5 years AAA roadside assistance and a 2 years/ 20,000 KM Free service offer which is valid until the 29th of November 2010. More details are also available on 24490073

-12 October 2010

BYD Co., Ltd recently held a ceremony in Shenzhen to celebrate two significant milestones; BYD announced it has now sold over 1,000,000 vehicles since its start of auto business only 7 years ago and it also announced the kick-off of the launching tour of its new-energy, dual-mode-electric, F3DM for consumer sales in China. BYD President and Chairman Mr. Wang Chuanfu, BYD shareholders Mr. Warren Buffett, and Charles Munger were all present at the ceremony.

"BYD is the right choice for me and I hope it'd be the same for you," Buffett said at the event. Mr. Warren Buffett holds 10 percent of Hong Kong-listed BYD's (short for "Build Your Dreams") stock, which he bought with about 230 million U.S. dollars in Sept. 2008. His share is now worth as much as 1.7 billion dollars. In August, BYD said it hoped to list on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in the second half of the year. The company has said it plans to offer up to 100 million A shares to raise 2.85 billion Yuan (US$425 million).

BYD Auto broke the Chinese Automotive Industry record this month for the shortest time to achieve 1Million in unit sales. As the most innovative independent national auto brand, BYD has maintained a growth rate of over 100% for 5 consecutive years. In 2009, over 448,000 vehicles were sold, a year-over-year increase of 162%, making BYD the leader in sales among national auto brands. In H1 of 2010, BYD total sales reached 289,000 units. In July, 2010, the millionth car came off the production line and in September, BYD’s accumulated unit volume sales hit 1,000,000 units.

Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC is the sole authorized importer for BYD cars in the sultanate of Oman. The BYD F3 & F6 are available from the MHD LLC showrooms at Azaiba, Sur, Sohar and Salalah. Along with a starting price of RO 3495 the other advantages include a 5 Years/ 120,000 KM warranty; 5 years AAA roadside assistance and a 2 years/ 20,000 KM Free service offer which is valid until the 29th of November 2010. More details are also available on 24490073

-27 September 2010

The 23rd September 2010 marks the 75th anniversary of the Jaguar marque.

To mark the occasion, a group of 75 individually-numbered, iconic Jaguars from across the years made a two-day journey from Coventry to Goodwood. This exclusive celebration drive, starting in Coventry on 17th September, took place in London’s May Fair hotel – site of the original Jaguar model launch in 1935 – and finished at the UK’s largest heritage motor festival, the Goodwood Revival on Saturday 18th.

Most cars were privately-owned examples, driven by their owners, joined by some of the most famous cars from Jaguar’s own heritage collection, including the E-Type, C-Type, pre-war SS Jaguar saloons and a selection of its latest models.

Launched to coincide with the drive, an iPhone and iPad app charting the 75 years of the British marque’s history is available to download now by searching ‘Jaguar 75’ in iTunes.
This 'Jaguar 75' app pulls together a host of materials that tell the company’s story of making beautiful fast cars over the past 75 years through the people and machines that have made it a British motoring icon – including the SS 2.5-litre Saloon, XK120, C-Type, D-Type, XKSS, MKII, E-Type, XJ13, XJ6, XJ-S, XJR-9, XJ220, XK8, XK, XF and XJ.
Our favourite top facts include:

1) When the first ever Jaguar was revealed, Sir William Lyons (founder of Jaguar Cars) asked guests of the launch event to speculate on how much the SS Jaguar 2.5 Litre Saloon would cost. The average guess was £632. In fact, the handsome, luxurious machine cost a mere £385.

2) For the 1938 British Motor Show, Lyons penned a coupé version of the SS100. With beautiful sweeping curves and Art Deco detailing it proved a sensation but sadly, with the outbreak of war the following year, the show car was the only one ever built.

3) At Le Mans in 1953 Jaguar C-Types finished 1st, 2nd and 4th. The company sent a telegram to the Queen, dedicating its win to her, in her coronation year, and received a congratulatory reply from Her Majesty.

4) Of the 16 XKSS vehicles produced, one was bought by actor and racing driver Steve McQueen, who kept it for 10 years before selling it on. Of all his cars it was possibly the one he enjoyed a little too much for it netted him two driving bans. However, clearly regretting his decision, McQueen later bought the car back and owned it until his death.

5) Enzo Ferrari proclaimed the E-Type to be “the most beautiful car ever built” on first sight of it, while America’s Road & Track magazine reported it as, in the unreconstructed language of the era, “the greatest crumpet collector known to man.”

6) The XJ220 was developed by an informal group of Jaguar employees known as the ‘Saturday Club’ who, as the name suggests, dedicated their spare time to special projects.

7) Lyons’ daughter, Pat, was the co-driver of ‘NUB 120’ the most famous competition XK120. Her husband Ian Appleyard drove it to three Alpine Cup victories and two RAC Rally wins.

8) The introduction of disc brakes was thanks to Jaguar. They were first fitted to the C-Type raced by Stirling Moss and Norman Dewis in the 1952 Mille Miglia. Italian race officials were mystified by the new technology and demanded a demonstration to prove it was in fact a brake and not some illegal addition.

9) In his teens, Ian Callum, Jaguar’s current Design Director, wrote to Bill Heynes (then Chief Engineer) enclosing some of his own designs for a Jaguar. Heynes kindly replied, suggesting to Callum that to pursue his chosen career, he should learn engineering draughtsmanship and study industrial design.

10) The fastest ever Jaguar was a slightly modified production XFR that achieved 225.675mph at the Bonneville Salt flats in November 2009.

The Computers Office Automation & Telecommunications division of MHD LLC recently organized the ‘Nokia Navigate & Win’ contest in Qurum City Centre mall and Muscat City Centre mall. The event was a grand success and also received an outstanding response from the consumers. No purchase was required to participate in the event. The participants only needed to navigate the distance between any location pointed by the wheel and the event location. There was an excellent participation from visitors to the shopping malls who were quite keen to learn the intricacies of navigation on Nokia mobile phones. Prices included free MHD gift vouchers worth RO 10/ for navigating on Nokia devices. MHD Nokia branded t-shirts/ caps were also given away to all participants.

Today navigation is a key feature of any mobile device. It helps you reach any destination very conveniently, helps you find your position and also the distance between your position and any other location.

Nokia gives free lifetime Navigation on models like 5230, 5800, E52, E66, E71, E72, N86, N97, N97 mini, X6, E5, C5

Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC is the leading distributor for Nokia Mobile Phones and Nokia accessories in Oman for over a decade providing better value for money to its customers in the Sultanate. Over the years, MHD LLC has spread its network of branches across Oman and currently has retail outlets in all major cities including Salalah, Sur, Sohar & Nizwa apart from 4 retail outlets in Hamriya, Ruwi, Muscat City Centre & Qurum City Centre. The company is constantly striving to provide better services to its customers.

Dr. Manmohan Singh Rehsi, Director MHD – COAT division said, “In our constant endeavor to provide better products and services to our customers, MHD-COAT division is now focused at offering Nokia solutions and in this attempt we are setting up a solution centre to provide all the Nokia solutions apart from two years warranty offered exclusively by MHD Nokia. The MHD – Nokia team is totally focused in providing our customers value for money.”

MHD – COAT division also offers Office Automation solutions from leading brands like Hitachi, Konica Minolta, Oce, Riso apart from Electronic Document Management System and Office Furniture solutions including Mobile Storage systems, Office Interior Designing, Workstations, Hospital furniture, Carpet tiles, Seating, etc. from leading brands in the industry.

-7 September 2010

Jaguar Land Rover has signed up as an ‘Official Supporter’ of England’s 2018 Football World Cup bid. The agreement sees two iconic British brands, Jaguar and Land Rover, provide vehicles to help England’s bid to host the World Cup.

As the official car supplier to the bid, Jaguar Land Rover will be supplying four Range Rovers, one LR4 and four Jaguar XJs for the FIFA inspections later this month. Jaguar has also supplied two Jaguar XFs to assist the 2018 bid team for their domestic business transport.

Andy Anson, England 2018 World Cup Bid Chief Executive said: "Jaguar and Land Rover are premium British brands that are ideally suited to support our FIFA World CupTM bid. At England 2018, we are committed to proving we have the qualities required to stage the world’s biggest tournament and to have the support of brands that are so recognisable across the entire globe is tremendous news.”

Jonathan Gregory, Director of Partnerships said "Jaguar Land Rover are a fantastic addition to our sponsor family, the brands are synonymous with design, quality and excellence. They are dedicated to providing first class vehicles for our bid and we are really looking forward to working with them."

“In the Range Rover, LR 4, Jaguar XJ and XFs, the FIFA delegates will experience the very best of what Britain and Jaguar Land Rover has to offer. All Jaguar and Land Rovers are designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK and as such we are proud to be supporting the England 2018 World Cup bid,” added Geoff Cousins Managing Director for Jaguar UK and John Edwards Managing Director for Land Rover UK.

Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC is the sole importer for Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman. With showrooms & aftersales facilities in Muscat, Sur. Sohar & Salalah the complete range of Jaguar & Land Rover vehicles are available across the country.

-26 July 2010

• The Range Rover celebrated its 40th birthday on 17 June 2010
• The Range Rover was the world's first fully capable luxury 4x4
• There have been three generations of Range Rover: the original (Classic) in 1970, second-generation (P38a) in 1994 and third-generation (L322) in 2001
• Second model line – Range Rover Sport – launched in 2005 became Land Rover's biggest selling vehicle worldwide in 2007
• Third model line to be revealed at Paris Motor Show 2010

- 14  Jan  2010


 
Ecolab Inc. is the global leader in cleaning, sanitizing, food safety and infection prevention products and services with sales of over $ 6 billion. Ecolab’s decision to tie up with Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC will deliver comprehensive programs and services to the food service, food and beverage processing, health care and hospitality industries in Oman.

Commenting on the tie up Mr. Ashwell – Company Manager – Ecolab Gulf mentioned that looking at Oman’s focus on tourism, infrastructure and healthcare the tie up with a strong Omani Company would enable Ecolab to offer its sanitizing and hygiene services to the various hotel chains, hospitals as well as food services companies.

The Projects and Building Materials division of Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC well known for commercial kitchen and laundry supplies would be trained and supported by Ecolab Inc to add synergy to their existing operations in providing complete hygienic solutions to their clientele.

This tie up would bring to Oman world class cleaning and sanitizing products, programs and services for the foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, retail, building services industries. Ecolab offers different ranges of housekeeping chemicals such as room care, floor care, carpet care etc, laundry chemicals such as detergents, bleaches and stain removal etc and ware washing & stewarding chemicals such as machine dish washing, manual pot wash, oven cleaners and specialties, vegetable wash, food safe sanitizers, hand soaps and specialty products.

- 4  Jan  2010


 
The Volvo XC60 took first prize in the "Family Car of the Year" category in the first-ever Women's World Car of the Year competition. All told, 21 cars competed in four categories when eight female motoring journalists from seven countries voted for their favourite cars.

"It is naturally immensely gratifying that women appreciate the Volvo XC60 and that our product meets their requirements. With the Volvo XC60 we feel we have truly succeeded in creating a car that appeals to many different customer groups," said Johan Rasmusson, Car Line Manager for the Volvo XC60 and XC90 at Volvo Cars.

Over the past year, eight female motoring journalists from Britain, the USA, Canada, South Africa, India, Australia and New Zealand put 21 selected cars to the test. The group and the award were created to educate the world's car makers about female customers' requirements.

"We searched a long time to put together a team of female motoring correspondents qualified to vote for the winners. This was no easy task since there aren't that many female motoring journalists," said Sandy Myhre, jury chairperson from New Zealand.

All the winners in the four categories were recently presented in London. The Volvo XC60 won the "Family Car of the Year" category. The overall winner of the competition was the Jaguar XF.

Child-friendliness important

The cars were assessed on a wide range of criteria described as a "women-specific shopping-list". This includes parameters such as storage space, child-friendliness, design and driving pleasure. Acceleration and torque were also assessed, but were not among the top priorities. Climate impact was another factor.

The voting procedure and the competition itself were monitored by globally renowned auditing firm Grant Thornton. In order to qualify for this year's competition, the cars had to be sold in at least ten countries throughout the world and must have been available on the market between September 2008 and September 2009.

More details on the Volvo range of cars can be obtained from the Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC , by visiting their showrooms in Azaiba, Sur, Sohar & Salalah. An exclusive toll free number 800-74747 is also available for Volvo customers in the Sultanate of Oman.